differences in a bronco II and explorer or later-model ranger automatic

[Surrey]

So whats the difference in the auto trannies available?

At some point (1995?) they become electronically shifted, I know that, at which point they offered a stronger tranny with the 4.0 than the 2.3...

But what about before that? I assume the 4.0 explorer has stronger internals or something than my 89 b2 tranny? What about, say, a 1994 4-cylinder Ranger?
Is the bellhousing any different on them? They are all the same length right?

My tranny is less than nice, so I was wondering what would be a good donor tranny for the future? (can't do a 5-speed swap, girlfriend needs to learn on this truck, so it has to stay an auto)

Thanks.
Matt

 

[adsm08]

Ok, all A4LDs (roughly 85 to 94) are, give or take a bit, the same. The ones that cam behind the 4.0s are a bit stronger, but lots of guys have had 2.9 A4LDs survive behind 4.0s. They are all the same length, but the 2.3 and 3.0 transmissions are different from the Cologne trannies since the bells are different. To swap different year/same engine autos between 85 and 94 all you really need to do is put the proper valve body on the donor trans.

In 95 they switched to the 4R44e and then later to the 5R44/55. These are very very similar internally but are fully electronic shift, so to work right you'd need a stand-alone controller. Not cheap.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

The first ones just had computer controlled torque converter lockup, later they had computer controlled 3-4 shift, before they went full electronic.

I don't know when it was, but I have a '85 and a '86 and they just had the TC lockup controlled by the computer. '85 was the first year for the A4LD.

My brother marveled how similar my '86 A4LD was after I pulled it out to the 5R55 that he had just put in an Explorer.

 

[04sd]

Since your BII is an '89 it should have the electronic OD solenoid I believe. Best bet would be to use the stronger 1st gen Explorer trans (or 4.0 Ranger) but use a 2.9 torque converter.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Since your BII is an '89 it should have the electronic OD solenoid I believe. Best bet would be to use the stronger 1st gen Explorer trans (or 4.0 Ranger) but use a 2.9 torque converter.

They all had TC lockup, only the later A4LD's had 3-4 shift controlled by the computer.

 

[heptofite]

They all had TC lockup, only the later A4LD's had 3-4 shift controlled by the computer.

my truck is an 86 and the 3-4 shift is computer controlled.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

my truck is an 86 and the 3-4 shift is computer controlled.

Maybe it was a midyear thing, I pulled a tranny out of a '86 and stuffed in my '85 without a problem. It only had one two wire connector coming out of it (aside from the neutral start switch obviously) Maybe somebody put a '85 tranny in the '86 too...

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/a4ld.html

 

[Surrey]

The tech forum says the electric 3/4 shift was like 93.5 and later... Are you sure your tranny is stock and electric 3/4? The ideal choice would be anything that is bolt in and stronger

 

[Surrey]

The 4.0 and 2.9 trannies bolt up the same right?
So a 91-92 explorer tranny is probably the best option for my 89 bronco2?

 

[adsm08]

Yes.

 

[4.0B2]

why is it being said to use the 2.9 torque converter in the newer a4ld? curious b/c i have both but the 4.0 TC is in my truck.

 

[whatelseisleft]

the 4.0 t.c. is designed to lock up at around 1800 rpm and the 2.9 t.c. is designed to lock up around 2200 rpm... if you use the 4.0 t.c. on a 2.9 motor you should get better gas mileage around town...

 

[heptofite]

stall and lockup are not the same thing.

 

[Surrey]

the 4.0 t.c. is designed to lock up at around 1800 rpm and the 2.9 t.c. is designed to lock up around 2200 rpm... if you use the 4.0 t.c. on a 2.9 motor you should get better gas mileage around town...

is that so? Does it really make a difference? Im not well-versed in the workings of an automatic tranny, I get the basic idea but not really fluent on the workings of clutch converters exactly.

stall and lockup are not the same thing.

Whats the difference, and how does it apply to my question of differences in trannies, and what is best for my 89 b2?

 

[bobbywalter]

actual 3/4 gear converter lockup is determined by the pc...

stall in this context is the point where the converter is at its minimum fluid slip in first or second gear, but particularly when starting from a dead stop in first..


the 4.0 converter will dog a normal 2.9. you want the 2.9 converter with the 2.9. if anything a 2400 stall would help a guy with bigger tires.

with a stock truck the lower stall could increase mpg, but it could also decrease it.